Telegraph-repeater.



F. E. WALLACE. TELEGRAPH REPEATER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10,1913

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

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A7 HZ firfeu t A T/49104 1 A; BY

ATTORNEYS F. E. WALLACE. TELEGRAPH REPEATEE. APPLIGATION FILED SEPIK 10,1913.

Z i110 Wsf WITNESSES YINVEIVTOR firresi- [744410465 ATTORNEYS FORREST EDWIN WALLACE, 0F FRANKLIN, CALIFORNIA.

TELEGRAPH-REFEATER.

LISLQA'F'.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 31915.

Application filed September 10, 1913. Serial No. 789,043.

=Atkinson, Phillips ,and similar repeaters, which are not only complicated and expensive to install, difficult to adjust and keep in operative condition, but are unsatisfactory in the production of the signals, in that they shorten the lengths of the dots and dashesand add tothe spaces and are often subjected to rattling. In addition to the main electro-magnets and circuits they necessitate-the use of additional magnets and circuitsv which make the repeater expensive as well as complicated to maintain in order.

It is the general objects of the present invention to improve and simplify the construction and operation of telegraph repeaters so as to be more reliableand efiicient in use; considerably less expensive to manufacture, install and keep in repair, and so designed that a more rapid transmission of messages is possible without distortion of the dots and dashes, and rendering it possible to repeat through an indefinite number of circuits with practically as good results at the final as at the initial circuit.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a repeater which consists of only two electro-magnets with interlocking lever contacts and coacting spring contacts so arranged that the opening of one circuit by the manipulation of a sending key will, through deenergizating of the electro-magnet therein and the releasing of the lever contact thereof, open the circuit of the electro-magnet included in the other main line circuit while locking and maintaining the lever contact of such latter electro-magnet in closed circuit with the deenergized electro-magnet in the first circuit, and by the closing of the first main circuit through the manipulation of the sending key the lever contacts are restored to close circuit position.

An additional object is the combining of a repeater of the characterreferred to with a multiple line system local sounder circuit.

With these objects in view, and others as W-lll appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto. In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, and whereinsimilar reference character are employed to designate correspon ing parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a plan view of a two-line repeater showing the repeater in that condition when both lines are closed; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the condition when showing .the repeater arranged for a four-line sysone line is open; Fig. 3 is a view tem; and Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the interlocking levers respectively in non-interlocking and interlocking positions. I

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a main line of a telegraph system, 2 another main line, such lines being connected togetherby a repeaterdesignated generally by ach line may include any number of stations or instruments, but for the purpose of illustration the same is shown as consisting of a sending key 3, a source of current, such as a battery 4, and a ground connection 5, all in series relation, there being of course a local sounder circuit used in connection with the sending keys 30f the main lines 1 and 2, but for the purpose of simplicity such local circuits are not shown.

The repeater A comprises electro-magnets M and M connected respectively with the west and east lines 1 and 2. The electromagnets have their armatures a carried by levers Z and Z respectively. These levers are fulcrumed at 6 and are provided with retractile springs 7 which serve to pull the levers in a direction to separate the armatures 0; from the poles 8 ofthe electro-ma nets. The retractile movement of thelevers is limited by adjustable back stops 9. The electro-magnets are disposed with their axes at an angle of approximately 90 to each other, and the levers Z and Z are also jdisposed in the same manner, with the free ends or tips of the levers in juxta-position.

The electro-magnets are disposed exterior with or without a to the angles embraced by the levers Z and Z 7 are disposed within such while the springs angles. These levers Z and Z constitute contacts which cooperate with spring contacts 8 "and s, respectively, there being platinum or other points 10 and 11 on the lever and spring contacts. The spring contacts s and s, which are arranged parallel with the lever contacts and adjacent the free ends thereof, have cooperating therewith adjustable fixed contacts f and f which are inthe form of screws readily adjustable in posts 12, so as to obtain p oper relation of the arts. Also arranged adjacent the tips of the contact levers are adjustable fixed stops or hooks in and h which extend under the tips of the spring contacts to serve to limit the movement thereof in a direction away from the fixed contacts or stops 7 and When the contact levers Z and Z are held in closed circuit position by the energizing of the magnets M and M the spring contacts 8 and s will be held against the fixed contacts f and f, this being against an inherent tension of the spring contacts, and consequently when the contact levers Z and Z move to retracted position the spring contacts e and 8 move with them a short distance until the spring contacts are arrested by the hook-shaped stops or contacts k. and 71.. By this means the contact levers Z and Z will separate from their respectivespring contacts when the former are in fully retracted position.

current flows key 3, line The wiring of the repeater will now be described. The levers Z and Z are connected by wires 13 and 1 1, respectively to a ground connection at 15. One terminal of the magnet M is connected by a wire 16 with the spring contact 8, and the magnet M is connected by a wire 16 with the spring contact 8. If a sounder is to be used in connection with tacts or stops f and f are connected .respectively with local circuit wires 17 and 17 which include a battery 18 and a sounder 19. Furthermore, the hooks or stops it and It are connected together by a wire 20.

In describing the operation of the repeater, it is to be observed that each main line include a source of current which may be arranged at any point therein. When the switches or keys 3 are closed current will pass through bothelectro-magnets M and M Considering the west line first, from the source 1 through the 1, magnet M, wire 16, spring lever contact Z, wire 14;, ground 15 and 5," and battery 1. As a consequence the energized electro-magnet M attracts the armature a of the lever Z and maintains the lever in a position where it is engaged with the contact spring 8, and the latter engaged with the fixed contact f. The current in the east line flows contact 8', connections from the fixed contact 7",

the repeater A, fixed con to the full line position,

from the source 4 through the switch or key 3, line 2, magnet M wire 16*, spring contact s,.lever Z, wire 13, ground connections 15 and 5, and battery 10f the east line. The energized electro-magnet M holds the lever contact Z against the spring contact 8, which in turn is heldagainst the fixed contact f. The local circuit consists of the battery 18, wire 17 contacts f, s and Z, wires 13 and 11, contacts Z, s, f, wire 17*, sounder 19 and battery 18. When either line is opened by the switch 3, as in sending a message, for instance the west line 1, Fig. 2, the electro-magnet M becomes immediately deenergized and allows the lever contact Z to move to the dotted-line position so that its tip will pass behind the tip of the lever Z and lock the latter in its closed cirf. cuit position, but in assuming the dotted line position he contact circuit of the electro-magnet M of the east line. However, the deenergizing of this latter magnet is not accompanied with the retraction of its lever contact Z, since such contact is locked against retraction by the contact Z. The movement of the lever contact Z is accompanied by the movement of a spring contacts, so that the local circuit is opened by the separation of the contact 8 and finally the spring contact 8 is arrested before the lever contact Z finishes its movement, this arresting being effected by the hook or stop contact k. This separation of the contacts Z and 3 produces a break in the circuit of the magnet M but, as said before, the lever contact Z thereof is retain in its closed circuit position; or in other words, in engagement with the springcontact's. There is, however, a slight movement of the lever contact Z due to the clearance provided between the tips of the lever contacts Z and Z, so that they can pass each other. As soon as the switch 3 of the west line is again closed, the armature M is energized, with the resulting effect that the lever contact Z is moved from the dotted line position, Fig. 2,

Fig, 1, thereby closing the circuit of the east line electro-magnet M All the parts will then be in the position shown in Fig. 1'. This operation of the parts is repeated as often as the west line is opened and closed in the sending of a message. It will be noted that the maintaining of the spring contact 8 in engagement with the lever contact Z for a short interval of time during the retraction of the lever contact is for the purpose of maintaining the east line circuit closed, so that the magnet M will hold the lever contact Z attracted and out of the way of the tip of \the retracting lever contact Z In other words, there is a successive deenergizingv of the electro-magnets and a consequent successive retraction of the levers Z and Z, but

lever Z opens the 5 shown in Fig.

0 the east and west'lines.

meme? one lever is not fully retracted because it becomes locked by the other.

If the operator in the receiving. circuit, that is to say, in the east line, desires to in- 5 terrupt the control of the repeater by the operator in the sending circuit, that is, the west line, he has merely to openhiskey, as indicated by the dotted lines, Fig. 2. Gonsequently, the electro-magnet M becomes deenergized, and should this occur when the lever contact Z of magnet M is in the dottedline position, Fig. 2, the lever contact Z will bear against the end of the lever contact Z, and when the latter is attra'ctedby the reenergizing of the magnet M" when the west line operator closes his switch 3, the lever contact Z will pass under the freeend of the lever contact Z. The circuit of the magnet M will be therefore broken by the separation of the lever contact Z from the spring contact 8, and the making and breaking of the west line circuit by the manipulation of the key 3 will have no effect in. restoring the parts to the position shown in Fig. 1. As soon as the keys of both lines are closed the repeater is restored to normal position.

The repeater hereinbefore described is adapted for two-way service; that is to say, for repeating from one line to the other, and vice versa. The repeater can, however, be used for multiple line systems. In Fig. 3 the repeater is shown in a system which permits of sending in four directions. The lever contacts are no longer grounded as 1, and preferably, although each lever contact is made with an insulated contact strip or conductor 20. The west line 1 is connected with the magnet M the east line 2 is connected not necessarily,

the north and south branches or lines 21 and 22 are connected respectively with the sageis transmitted in either the north or south line, that message will be repeated in west line is open, as in transmitting a message, the magnet M will be deenergized and the lever contact Z will interlock with the levercontact Z and also open the circuit 5 of the magnet M by separation of the lever It will contact Z from the sprmg contact 8. thus be seen that the north and south lines are open whenthe West line is open. When thewest line is closed themagnet M attracts the lever contact Z and closes the north and south lines, whereby the magnet M is reenergized. This operation is repeated with each opening and closing of a west line circuit. The same operation is rei peated when the east line is opened and closed with the conductor/20 of the contact Z, and

Assuming that the lever contact and the described the to send a message. When the north line is opened and closed in the sending of a message, the magnet M is deenergized and energized, and consequently the lever contact Z causes the synchronous opening and closing of the magnet M in the east and west line circuit, and at the same time the lever contact Z interlocks with the lever contact Z and prevents the latter from dropping to'open circuit position. By making one of the lever contacts as shown in Fig. l, and connecting it to ground, and making the other lever contact as shown in Fig. 3, and connecting it to a branch line, the repeater is adapted for a three line system.

Other combinations of lines witlf one or morerepeaters will readily suggest themselves to any one skilled in the art, so that it is unnecessary to explain further the application of the repeater.

border that there will be practically no friction between the interlocking tips of the lever contacts, or interference with free operation, the said tips may be constructed as shown in F igs. 4 and 5 ach lever contact is provided with a leaf spring 21 to engage with a shouldered extremity 22 of the other lever, said springs being on the outer surfaces of the contacts considered with reference to the angle embraced between the contacts. YVhen the lever contacts are in normal position, as shown in Fig. 4, either lever contact is free to move the deenergizing of theelectro-magnet M The leaf spring 21 on the contact Z engages the shoulder 22- of the contact Z, as shown in Fig. 5. By means of the leaf spring 21 the contact Z is locked against movement.

s soon as the magnet M is again energized the contact Z returns to its normal position shown in Fig. 4. s

The hooks h and it are connected by the wire 20, so that when the contact levers as shown in- Fig. 5 are employed, the lines will be joined together in case the contact levers should chance to open at the same time, due to particles of dust or other. foreign substances getting between the spring of one shouldered portion of the other lever contact, or between either spring and its accompanying lever.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and method of operation will-be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have principle of operation, together with the apparatus which I now consider to bethe best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative, and that be made when desired as are within the scope of the appendedclaims. Having thus. described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a telegraph repeater, the combination of separate lines each having a source of current, a key, and an electro-magnet, with a circuit make-and-break device associated with each electro-magnet and operated thereby, the device of one electro-magnet being in series with the other electrosuch changes may magnet, and said devices having movable elements arranged in such relation to each other that either when in open circuit position interlocks with and holds the other in close circuit position, and a local sounder circuit controlled by the said make-andbreak devices.

2. In a telegraph repeater, the combination of separate lines each including a source of current, akey, and an electro-magnet, with a circuit make-and-break device in series with eachelectro-magnet and operated by the other, each device including a movable contact moved to close 'CIXCHlt position by the energizing of its associated magnet,

' a yielding contact with which the firstmentioned contact engages when in close circuit position, the make-and-break devices being to cause one contact when in open circuit position to interlock with and hold the other contact in close circuit position, fixed contacts with which the yielding contacts associated with the movable contacts are in close circuit position, and a local circuit connected with the said fixed contacts. r

3. A repeater of the class described comprising electro-magnets, a movable contact associated with each electro-magnet to be attracted thereby, means connected with each contact for moving the same away from its electrofmagnet, said movable contacts being arranged in such relation that one is adapted to interlock with and hold the other in close circuit position, a spring contact associated with each movable contact to be engaged thereby, the spring contact associated with-the movable contact at one elecarranged tro-magnet being connected with the other for engaging the spring contacts after a limited movement electro-magnet, stop contacts with their associated movable contacts, fixed contacts with which the spring contacts engage when the movable contacts are in close movement together toward the said movable contacts ofcircuit position, a local sounder circuit connected with the fixed contacts, and an electrical connection between the stop contacts.

4. A telegraphic repeater comprising angularly disposed lever contacts, a spring on the tip of each contact, the spring on either contact being adapted to interlock with the tip of the other contact, electro-magnets for the respective lever contacts for moving the same to close circuit position, springs tending to oppose the movement of the lever contacts, spring contacts arranged to be en gaged by the movable contacts, the spring contacts associated with the movable contact of one electro-magnet being connected with the other electro-magnet, contacts with which the spring contacts are adapted to engage when in'close circuit position, each movable contact and its associated spring contact being adapted to have a limited open circuit position, and stop means for arresting the movem ent of the spring contacts while the movable contacts continue to move to full open circuit position.

. 5. A telegraphic repeater comprising angularly disposed lever contacts, a spring on the tip of each contact, the spring on either contact being adapted to interlock with the tip of the other contact, electro-magnets for the respective lever contacts iorfmoving the same to close circuit position, springs tending to oppose the movement of the lever contacts, spring contacts arranged to be en-' gaged by the movable contacts, the spring contacts associated with'the movable contact of one electro-magnet being connected with the other electro-magnet, fixed contacts with which the spring contacts are adapted to engage when in close circuit position, each movable contact and its associated spring contact being adapted to have a limited movement together toward open circuit position, stop means for arresting the movement of the spring contacts while the movable contacts continue to move to full open circuit position, an electrical connection between said stops, and a local sounder circuit connected with the said fixed contacts.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

W; C. SCHMIDT,

HENRY KNUYSEL. 

